Hybrid working improves employees’ well-being, work-life balance and professional performance, according to a Cisco study examining the effects of modern working between the office and home office on emotional, financial, mental, physical and social well-being among employees. all over the world. However, the possibilities for hybrid working are not yet fully exploited by companies.
79 percent of employees worldwide confirm that their work-life balance has improved through hybrid working, according to the Cisco study, which surveyed 28,000 employees from 27 countries. The reasons: more flexible working hours (62 percent) and significantly shorter or completely eliminated travel times (53 percent).
More free time and money
Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of those surveyed were able to save at least four hours a week. 45 percent prefer to spend their free time with family, friends and pets, which increases social well-being. Nearly three quarters (74 percent) say remote working has strengthened relationships with family and friends (51 percent).
More than three quarters (76 percent) of respondents also believe their financial well-being has also improved because they have been able to save money by working more remotely. The average savings was just over $8,000 a year.
The biggest savings came from lower fuel and/or commuting costs at 87 percent, followed by lower spending on groceries and entertainment (74 percent).
Fitter, happier and less stressed
AIn addition, more than two-thirds (68 percent) say their physical fitness has improved. Seven in ten (71 percent) respondents exercise more in their home office – an average of 130 extra training units per year. A similar number (68 percent) say hybrid working has had a positive impact on their eating habits.
Given the increased sense of well-being, the majority (82 percent) of employees also say they are happier if they can work anywhere. According to the study, this flexibility helps lower their stress levels (55 percent). About a third (29 percent) find hybrid work more relaxed and the work environment less stressful.
For more than 60 percent of those surveyed, the quality of their work and their productivity have also increased. Three quarters (76 percent) also believe they can perform their tasks remotely as successfully as they can in the office. About 91 percent therefore want to work either hybrid or even completely remote in the future. The problem with this: Only one in four (23 percent) believe their company is “very well” prepared for the future of hybrid work.
“Working model of the future”
“Hybrid Work is the work model of the future. A similar survey in Austria recently showed this: 43 percent of Austrians would like to see the concept implemented permanently. The benefits are obvious: Hybrid Work puts people at the center of work design, thus promoting engagement, integration and well-being. Everyone benefits from this,” explains Hans Greiner, Managing Director of Cisco Austria. In this way, the future of work can become ‘more flexible, sustainable and liveable for everyone’.
Practical Challenges
At the same time, the research shows that there are practical challenges as well: More than half (59 percent) think it will be more difficult for fully home workers to network with their colleagues and the company than for those who work hybrid. “These results underscore the need for an inclusive culture to lead the way in the future of hybrid work,” said Cisco.
Seven out of ten (73 percent) of employees surveyed for the survey said their company “needs to rethink the culture and mindset to make hybrid work truly inclusive.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
